Ricardo Kaka, a former attacking midfielder for Real Madrid, has explained why he would never disparage the team or Jose Mourinho, their former manager.
The fondest memory of Kaka’s time in Spain was leaving the Los Blancos, and he added that he was extremely happy that they had made it possible for him to leave the team. Kaka pledged never to speak poorly of Real Madrid or Mourinho.
The Brazilian moved to Real Madrid in 2009 for €67 million from AC Milan under Manuel Pellegrini’s leadership.
Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka all joined Real Madrid during the same transfer window.
Kaka had a successful first year in Madrid, but once Mourinho succeeded Pellegrini as manager following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Kaka’s performance began to wane.
Mourinho liked the German and the Argentinean over the Brazilian.
Kaka finally left Real Madrid at the conclusion of the 2012–2013 LaLiga season after making 120 appearances, scoring 29 goals, and registering 39 assists.
“It may sound strange, but I prefer the day that it was confirmed that I was leaving. Because I spoke with Florentino, and he told me that they saw me as a great professional who had done everything possible to achieve great results in Madrid. But the injuries and the few minutes that the coach gave me did not allow it,” Kaka told MARCA.
“That was a great satisfaction because I felt that the doors of the club were open. That is why you will never hear me speak ill of Madrid or José Mourinho. In fact, when I met Florentino in the Champions League final in Paris this year, we embraced.”